Interlaminar structure for security element

ABSTRACT

A multilayer security element with at least two security features exactly disposed to each other is produced by the security features being present on separate carrier foils ( 100, 200 ) and the carrier foils being laminated with each other in such a way that the security features in the layer compound are disposed to each other in register. As to achieve an exact register of the security features, each carrier foil has register marks, with the help of which the foils are controlled relative to each other. The controlling is effected by stretching that carrier foil, the security features of which are running behind relative to the security features of the respective other carrier foil.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a National Phase of International Application SerialNo. PCT/EP03/05981, filed Jun. 6, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a multilayer security element, a layer compoundto be further manufactured into such a security element, a method forproducing the layer compound and the security element, as well as anobject equipped with the security element, in particular document ofvalue, such as bank notes and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART

Security elements within the terms of the invention are, for example,security threads and security strips for bank notes and for otherdocuments of value, tear threads for packaging, labels and tags, whichare suitable for detecting the authenticity of an object connected withthem, in particular, document of value. Documents of value within theterms of the invention can be bank notes, identity cards, checks,passports, travel tickets, admission tickets and the like. But theinvention is also suitable for the protection of any other objects ofvalue and their packaging, such as e.g. books, CDs and the like.

Multilayer security elements in the form of security threads find a widerange of use in bank notes. They comprise at least one carriersubstrate—normally formed as a transparent plastic film—to which thefurther layers are applied. These further layers mainly are printed onor, in particular in the case of metallic layers, vapor-deposited, butthey can also be, for example, sputtered or sprayed.

Not always are all layers applied all-over. They can be disposedside-by-side and/or one above the other. They can form characters orpatterns or can have gaps, either from the outset or as a result of asubsequent partial removal of material, so as to form, for example, anegative writing, which when viewed in incident light is hardly visible,but when viewed in transmitted light produces a clearly visible contrastwhich is due to the transparency of the carrier substrate. Furthermore,the layers can have optically variable effects and for that purpose canhave, in particular, diffraction structures in the form of gratingpatterns or holograms etc. The layers can also have machine readablesecurity features, such as e.g. electrical conductivity in the case ofcontinuous metallic coatings or in the case of printed layers doped withelectrically conductive particles. Additionally or alternatively, theycan have magnetic properties and/or luminescent properties, inparticular in areas not visible luminescent substances are often used.The machine readable security features can also be formed as locallyrestricted machine readable code, for example bar code.

A basic matter of concern when producing such multilayer securityelements is to achieve a side-independent appearance, so that whenfitting the security elements to or embedding them in the objects to besuch secured no particular measures become necessary for theirapplication with regard to trueness to side. This problem in particulararises when incorporating security threads as so-called window threadsinto papers of value, in particular bank notes, since these threads andstrips tend to twist.

In the case of a simple metalized security thread with hidden magneticlayer a side-independent appearance is easy to achieve, when, forexample, at first a carrier substrate is printed with the magnetic layerand subsequently is metalized all-over on both sides. In this connectionit is also known, that firstly a foil is metalized, the magnetic layeris applied onto the metal layer, and then the foil is cut, superimposedand adhesively bonded in a roller laminating plant in such a way as toproduce a thread-shaped foil compound with two outside foils, two insidemetal layers and one central, i.e. located between the metal layers,double magnetic layer (EP 0 374 763 A2). By means of the two outsidefoils the coatings are protected against outside influences.Furthermore, the absolutely symmetrical layer structure of the foilcompound prevents a curling of the produced thread which would lead tothe formation of garlands.

This laminating method, however, is not suitable for complex layerstructures, wherein different layers are positioned locally restrictedat different places which are disposed in an exact relation to eachother. Since the cutting and superimposing of the individual compoundfoils inevitably leads to the fact, that the different, locallyrestricted layers will not be disposed exactly regular to each other inthe final layer compound.

Therefore, complex layer structures are built on one single carriermaterial. For example, in WO 92/11142 are described several variants ofa security thread with hidden magnetic layer or hidden magnetic code andintegrated negative writing.

In the simplest case the negative writing is identically produced in themagnetic layer and in two metal layers which cover the magnetic layer.For this purpose at first an activable printing ink is applied in ausual fashion to the area of the future negative writing on atransparent plastic film. Then a first metal layer is vapor-depositedthereon and a magnetic layer is printed all-over on top of it, thelatter then is covered with a second vapor-deposited metal layer. Thefollowing activation of the printing ink results in congruent gaps inthe three layers located on top of the printing ink. The inner metalcoating ensures, that the security thread has, due to the transparencyof the carrier foil, the same appearance independent of side.

In case of complex layer structures, in which the negative writing isnot produced congruent in all layers, however, it is difficult, toachieve an appearance which is exactly the same from both viewing sides.

Therefore, in case of such complex layer structures at least one,optionally also the two metallic layers are printed in register onto thedesired areas (WO 92/11142). The problem here is that the metallicallyappearing printing inks, e.g. supersilver, are less brilliant thanvapor-deposited metal layers and that supersilver does not have a goodelectrical conductivity. In the event that one of the two metalliclayers is a printed layer and the other one is a real, e.g.vapor-deposited metal layer, an exactly side-independent appearance willnot be achieved. In the other event, that both metallically appearinglayers are printed layers, the optical appearance indeed will beidentically in a side-independent fashion, but in total will not be asbrilliant as one would desire and also not electrically conductive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem of the present invention therefore is to provide amultilayer security element, which is adapted to be produced in a simplefashion with a complex layer structure and an at the same timeside-independent appearance. The problem of the present inventionequally is to provide a layer compound to be further manufactured intosuch a security element and respective production methods as well as anobject equipped with the security element, in particular document ofvalue.

This problem is inventively solved with features disclosed herein. Alsodisclosed are specified advantageous embodiments and developments of theinvention.

Accordingly, on a first carrier foil at least one security feature isproduced and on a second carrier foil differing from the first also atleast one security feature is produced. Then the two foils are laminatedas to form a layer compound. As to ensure the two security featuresbeing in a predetermined, regularly disposed position to each other, itis provided, that the carrier foils have register marks in thelongitudinal direction and/or also in the transverse direction of thefoil, with the help of which the exactly registered joining of the twofoils is controlled. For this purpose a first of the two carrier foilsis maintained under a predetermined, preferably constant tensile stress,and the second carrier foil in longitudinal direction of the foil iscontrolled with the help of its register marks as to be in exactregister to the register marks of the first foil. Then security elementsin the desired form can be severed out from the layer compound, forexample in the form of labels, or the layer compound can be divided intothreads or strips and wound up onto so-called endless rollers.

The carrier foils can be plastic substrates, e.g. made of PET; alsothinkable is a plastic/paper compound, wherein at least one carrier foilconsists of paper, e.g. cotton paper.

The security features can be any machine readable features, such aselectrically conductive, magnetic, luminescent, and in particular in thenot visible spectral region luminescent security features. But also anyother security features, such as a negative writing or a print, arepossible.

The advantage achieved with the invention is to be seen in the fact,that the manufacturing of the respective security features can beeffected irrespective of their design and disposition in the final layerstructure and under process conditions which are optimal for thesecurity feature. Their production at no point of time depends on thedesign or the position of other security features of the same layercompound or how these other security features of the same layer compoundare produced. Insofar as not causing problems, of course it is alsopossible to manufacture different security features on one joint carrierfoil. Furthermore, the possibility of the layer compound comprising morethan two foils is not excluded, when, for example, the production ofthree different security features otherwise could not be easilycombined. This can be, for example, a security element having twodifferently coloured metals, disposed in a certain pattern. Each of themetals is vapor-deposited on a carrier foil and structured in theappropriate fashion by etching or washing methods. Subsequently, thecarrier foils are laminated according to the inventive method.Preferably, here the metal layers come to lie facing inwardly, so thatthey are protected by the carrier foils.

The invention can be very advantageously used for the production ofsecurity elements, which have internal security features that areaccessible only by machine testing, which due to their inherent colouror other properties would spoil the optical appearance of the securityelement and therefore have to be covered by additional layers. With theaid of the invention a coverage in register and restricted to the areaswhere required can be effected.

Finally, the invention is suitable in an advantageous fashion for theproduction of security elements composed of two carrier foils and havingsecurity features which must be congruently disposed. This is the case,for example, with a security element the two sides of which havedifferent diffraction structures, the reflection layers of which, inparticular metal layers, have a congruent negative writing.

The controlling of the second carrier foil in longitudinal direction ofthe foil relative to the first carrier foil being under tensile stresspreferably is effected by stretching the second carrier foil inlongitudinal direction of the foil. If two carrier foils of the samelengths are used, however, there will arise the problem of adjusting incase there are deviations from the being-in-register state in anopposite direction to the longitudinal direction of the foil. Therefore,two preferred embodiments of the invention provide, that either thesecond carrier foil to be controlled by stretching is shorter than thefirst carrier foil being under tensile stress, or that the two carrierfoils basically have the same length, but the first carrier foil beingunder tensile stress is steadily, at least slightly stretched. Thelast-mentioned variant has the advantage, that the two carrier foilsnormally are charged and stretched with approximately the same tensilestress, the tensile stress exerted to the stretch-controlled secondcarrier foil is reduced or increased depending on the direction ofdeviation from the being-in-register state.

In a third embodiment either the first or the second carrier foil can becontrolled by stretching, depending on which foil is leading in front ofthe other.

The stretching of the carrier foils is preferably achieved by acontrolled slow down of the roller from which the carrier foil is drawnoff, and by an otherwise constant draw-off speed. The increased tensilestress thereby caused in the carrier foil leads to a controlledstretching of the carrier foil material.

The exactly registered lamination of the two carrier foils in transversedirection constitutes a minor problem, but has to be taken into accountmainly with broad carrier foils, since these due to the longitudinalstretching undergo a not unsubstantial reduction of their transversedimensions. As to equalize these fluctuations in dimension a tensiongroup is provided, which preferably is also controlled with the help ofthe register marks in the two carrier foils.

The register marks preferably are read in a noncontacting fashion bymeans of light guides or CCD cameras, either in incident light or intransmitted light. As register marks the security features may serve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention is explained by way of example withreference to the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 shows a double belt laminating apparatus and

FIGS. 2-8 show various embodiments of a two-foil layer compound.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a double belt laminating apparatus. A first carrier foil 1and a second carrier foil 2 are drawn off the supply rollers 3, 4,laminated together in a double belt press 5 and subsequently wound up asfoil compound 6 on a further supply roller 7 for intermediate storagebefore the further processing. For this purpose, in an adhesive station8 to the first carrier foil 1 a radiation-curing, transparent adhesiveis applied, which after the bringing together of the two carrier foils1, 2 in the double belt press 5 is radiation-cured by means of theradiation source 9. Instead of a radiation-curing adhesive otheradhesives may be used, for example thermosetting adhesives, for thereason of which the double belt press 5 preferably is heated.

The draw-off speed of the carrier foils 1 and 2 off the supply rollers 3and 4 at first is determined by the transportation speed of the doublebelt press 5. According to a first embodiment the supply roller 3 of thefirst carrier foil 1 is controlled in such a way, i.e. slowed down oraccelerated, that it is subject to a defined tensile stress. Thistensile stress should be held constant during the entire process. Due tothe enormous weight of such supply rollers at the beginning of theunwinding process and the permanently decreasing weight during theunwinding process, it can occur that the supply roller 3 at first isaccelerated and in the further course of the unwinding process,optionally, is slowed down. The second carrier foil 2 similarly issubject to tensile stress.

As to ensure, that the security features applied to the first carrierfoil 1 are brought together in exact register with the security featuresapplied to the second carrier foil 2, each carrier foil 1, 2 is equippedwith register marks, which are detected by means of register markdetectors 10. If the evaluation of the detected register mark positionsreveals, that the register marks of the first carrier foil 1 relative tothe register marks of the second carrier foil 2 no longer lie within astill acceptable tolerance range, then according to the invention one ofthe two carrier foils 1, 2 is stretched. The following three variantscan be used here:

-   -   The two carrier foils 1, 2 normally are subject to the same        tensile stress, under which the carrier foils do not undergo a        stretching. As soon as the register mark detectors 10 detect,        that the security features of one of the two carrier foils are        running behind relative to the security features of the other of        the two carrier foils, this other foil of the two carrier foils        is slightly stretched until the security features of the two        carrier foils again are positioned to each other within a        predetermined tolerance range. The stretching preferably if        effected by a controlled slow down of that supply roller, from        which the carrier foil to be stretched is drawn off.    -   As an alternative the second carrier foil 2 can be formed        shorter than the first carrier foil 1, so that the second foil 2        relative to the first carrier foil 1 in principle has to be        stretched, so as to permit an exactly registered lamination of        the two carrier foils. The required degree of stretching is        determined with the help of the register mark detectors 10.    -   According to a further alternative, the first carrier foil 1 is        drawn off while being subject to such a tensile stress that the        foil basically is stretched by a predetermined percentage.        Normally the second carrier foil 2 then is drawn off the supply        roller 4 with the same degree of stretching. If then again with        the help of the register mark detectors 10 a deviation from the        position of the register marks is determined, then the supply        roller 4 depending on the deviation direction is slowed down        more or less, so as to relatively intensify or reduce the        stretching of the second carrier foil 2.

The carrier foils 1, 2 can have the width of the security element to beproduced thereof later, for example, the width of a security thread orstrip for bank notes. But preferably they have a multiple of the width,and the security elements produced thereof subsequently are divided outfrom the laminated foil compound by, for example, cutting the foilcompound into threads or strips or by severing out individual securityelements from the foil compound, for example by punching out in the formof labels.

In case of broad carrier foils it is expedient to place the registermarks at the two outermost edges of the foil, which later during thefurther processing of the foil compound become waste material.Alternatively, the security features located on the carrier foils canserve as register marks.

For the noncontacting detection of the register marks in incident lightor in transmitted light in particular light guides or CCD-cameras aresuitable.

In the double belt laminating apparatus specifically shown in FIG. 1 thefirst carrier foil 1 is subject to a constant tensile stress and thebeing-in-register state is achieved by stretching the second carrierfoil 2. Since the width of the second carrier foil 2 depending on thedegree of its longitudinal stretching increases or decreases, a tensiongroup 11 is provided, as to equalize the deviations in transversedirection of the second foil 2. Such a tension group is not requiredwhen processing foils of thread or strip width, since the fluctuation inwidth is minimal. In case of broad foils with a multitude of securityelements disposed side-by-side these minimum fluctuations in width,however, add up to a value which cannot to be neglected any more, whichas a whole affects the outermost security elements in such a way thatthe security elements in the middle of the two carrier foils in factwould be laminated in exact register but in the edge area of the carrierfoils a deviation from the position of the register marks in transversedirection of the foil would be the case. Tension groups adjustableduring the ongoing process are available as so-called expander rollers.These expander rollers have disks, the inclination of which isadjustable, so as to thereby tension the profile belts acting on thecarrier foils. The more the discs are inclined the greater thebroadening effect on the foils. The adjustment of the expander rollersas to the stretching of the carrier foil in transverse direction iscontrolled with the help of the register marks.

It is understood, that more than two carrier foils can be laminated toeach other by adding equivalent devices to the double belt pressapparatus shown in FIG. 1, i.e. in particular by adding one or severalfurther supply rollers.

FIG. 1 shows a specific example for producing a layer compound 6comprising two carrier foils, wherein the security features areregularly disposed to each other. Here a security thread in an endlessform is produced. The detail A of the first foil 1 comprises a carrierfoil 100 made of transparent plastic with a vapor-deposited, partialmetal layer 101 and with a bar code 102 made of magnetic material. Themetal layer 101 leaves free a central strip 103 of the carrier foil 100,through which the carrier foil 100 appears transparent. The magnetic barcodes 102 consist of printing ink containing magnetic particles and areprinted onto the metal layer 101 in exact register in such a way, thatthey are one-sidedly covered by the metal layer 101.

The detail B of the second carrier foil 2 also comprises a carrier foil200 made of transparent plastic and again a vapor-deposited metal layer201. The metal layer 201 has gaps produced in the usual fashion in theform of a negative writing 202. The width of the second carrier foil 2corresponds to the width of the first carrier foil 1. The negativewriting 202 is placed in the metal layer 201 at the same position as inthe carrier foil 100 of the first foil 1 is placed the transparent area103. The second carrier foil 2, however, is transparent in the area ofthe negative writing 202. Due to that the security thread remainstransparent in the area of the negative writing 202 even after thelamination of the carrier foils 1, 2.

The detail C in FIG. 2 shows the laminated layer compound in plan viewand in two cross sections. One recognizes, that the magnetic bar code102 lies hidden between the two metal layers 101 and 201 (sectionC₂-C₂), whereas the negative writing 202 is visible from both sides ofthe layer compound due to the transparent area 103 (section C₁-C₁).

The embodiment of a layer compound 6 shown in FIG. 1 thus comprisessecurity features, which are disposed in exact register to each otherboth in longitudinal direction of the layer compound and in transversedirection of the layer compound. Since the magnetic bar code 102 of thefirst carrier foil 1 in longitudinal direction of the foil always liesexactly between the negative writings 202 of the second carrier foil 2and the negative writings 202 of the second carrier foil 2 in transversedirection of the foil always lie exactly above the transparent area 103of the first carrier foil 1.

The FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show a simple embodiment, wherein is emphasizedthe being-in-register state of the security features in transversedirection of the foil. The embodiment according to FIG. 2 differs fromthe variant shown in FIG. 1 merely in that instead of the magnetic barcodes 102 formed on the first carrier foil 100, a magnetic strip 204extending over the entire length of the layer compound 6 is printed ontothe metal layer 201 of the second carrier foil 200 parallel to thenegative writing 202. In FIG. 2 b again a cross section corresponding tothe cross sections C₁-C₁ and C₂-C₂ of the FIG. 1 is shown, however, at apoint of time which is before the lamination of the two carrier foils.When laminating the two carrier foils 100, 200 these are controlled insuch a way that the magnetic strips 204 lie hidden between the metallayers 101, 201 of the carrier foils 100, 200, whereas the negativewriting 202 due to the transparent area 103 is perceptible from bothsides of the layer compound.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment, wherein the being-in-register statein both transverse and longitudinal direction is of importance. Heremerely a view in cross section is shown. The second carrier foil 2 isidentically structured to the second carrier foil 2 according to FIG. 2and consequently comprises a transparent carrier foil 200 with a metallayer 201 including negative writing 202 and two magnetic strips 204printed onto the metal layer 201 parallel to the negative writing. Thecarrier foil 100 also has an all-over applied metal layer 101, intowhich is incorporated a negative writing 104. The negative writing 104of the first carrier foil 100 is identically, although mirror-inverted,to the negative writing 202 of the second carrier foil 200, so that thetwo negative writings 202, 104 come to lie congruently one above theother when laminating the foils 1, 2. With that on the one hand themagnetic strips 204 are hidden between den metal layers 101, 201 in thefinal foil compound, and on the other hand the negative writing 104, 202is visible and legible from both sides of the foil compound.

Additionally, in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 the metal layer 101is provided all-over with an at least semitransparent, preferably fullytransparent coating, which contains fluorescent particles. This coating105 could also be applied to the metal layer 201 of the other carrierfoil 200. Due to the semitransparency of the coating 105 the negativewriting 104, 202 remains visible from both viewing sides of the foilcompound when viewed in transmitted light. The fluorescent particlesform a further authenticity feature of the security element to beproduced out of the foil compound. The semitransparent coating can alsobe designed in another way, for example, as optically variable thinlayer structure or other optically variable layers.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment, in this case with integrated opticaldiffraction structure. The first carrier foil 1 again corresponds to thecarrier foil 1 from FIG. 2, which comprises a first transparent carrierfoil 100 with a vapor-deposited metal layer 101 in the form of twostrips extending parallel to the outer edges of the foil and a centraltransparent area 103 located in between. The second carrier foil 200 hasa diffraction structure 206 embossed into the carrier foil 200 withmetal coating 201. The metal coating 201 is printed with a magneticlayer 204 in the form of two strips extending parallel to the foil edge.In the final layer compound the magnetic strips 204 are covered by themetal layers 101 and 201. The diffraction structures are perceptiblefrom both sides of the layer compound as optically variable authenticityfeature. If a diffraction structure pattern is selected which inlongitudinal direction of the carrier foil is tilt-symmetric, theappearance of the layer compound is identical from both viewing sides.However, if the diffraction structure shows a specific image, everysecond recurrence of this image would have to be provided in amirror-inverted fashion, so as to produce a layer compound which isindependent of the viewing side.

The diffraction structures 206 not necessarily have to be embossed intothe carrier foil 200. It is equally possible to apply exactly registereda transfer element having diffraction structures to the carrier foil200. But instead also in this embodiment other optically variablesecurity features can be provided, such as for example thin-layerstructures and the like.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment, in which the two carrier foils 1, 2each have diffraction structures and a negative writing, which in thefinal layer compound lie congruent one above the other. Into the carrierfoils 100, 200 different diffraction structures 106, 206 are embossed.The diffraction structures 106, 206 are covered with metal layers 101,201, which, however, in this case are not applied all-over, but whicheach have gaps 104, 202. The gaps 104 of the metal layer 101 of thefirst carrier foil 100 are identically, although mirror-inverted, to thegaps 202 in the metal layer 201 of the second carrier foil 200, so thatthey lie congruently one above the other in the completed foil compoundand are perceptible from both viewing sides of the foil compound atleast in transmitted light. The metalized diffraction structures of thetwo carrier foils are each protected by transparent lacquer layers 107,207. This facilitates the intermediate storage and subsequent laminationof the two carrier foils 1, 2. The gaps 104, 202 can form any patternsand alphanumeric characters, just as in the aforementioned examples.

The security element according to FIG. 5 is particularly suitable forthe use as a label above a hole in a bank note or another securitydocument. The different diffraction structures 106 and 206, for example,can be the front view and rear view of a head, building or anotherobject, so that this object dependent on the viewing side of thedocument appears from front or from rear.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment, wherein again is emphasized anexactly registered lamination in longitudinal and transverse directionof the foil material. In this case circular-shaped sections of the firstcarrier foil 100 are all-over provided with a metal layer 101. Onto eachof these metal layer circles is printed in exact register a circular,but magnetic layer 108. The second carrier foil 200 has merelycorresponding circular metal layers 201. By means of an exactlyregistered lamination in the final foil compound the metal layer circles108 are hidden between the two metal layers 101, 201.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment wherein is emphasized mainly the exactlyregistered lamination in longitudinal direction of the foil. In thiscase the first carrier foil 100 carries an all-over applied metal layer101 with bars 109 made of magnetic material which are printed on indefined spacing. The second carrier foil 200 has metal layers 201located in corresponding spacing. In the areas in between 203 thecarrier foil 2 remains transparent. By means of an exactly registeredlamination of the two carrier foils 1, 2 in longitudinal direction ofthe foil the magnetic bars 109 are hidden between the metal layers 101and 201.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment. In this case the first carrier foil100 in certain areas is coated with a first coating 110, which has afirst colour and, for example, is formed by a coloured metal. Thecarrier foil 100 remains uncoated in the areas 103 located between thecolour layers 110 and therefore transparent. The second carrier foil 200in certain areas is coated with a colour layer 210, the colour of whichdiffers from the colour layer 110 of the first carrier foil 100. Thatareas of the carrier foil 200 lying in between 203 again remaintransparent. The transparent areas 103, 203 in dimension and relativeposition correspond to the colour layer areas 110 or 210 of therespective other carrier foil. During the lamination of the two carrierfoils 1,2 a foil compound is the result, which altogether is nottransparent and is marked by areas of different colours regularly spacedapart.

Additionally, the colour layers 110, 210 of the embodiment according toFIG. 8 each have gaps 104 or 202, which complement each other in thefinal foil compound to form a negative writing “PL”. The negativewriting is alternately provided rightreading and mirror-inverted, sothat it is legible independent of the viewing side.

1. Method for producing a layer compound (6) with at least two securityfeatures disposed in register to each other, comprising the followingsteps: providing a first carrier foil (100) with at least one firstsecurity feature and first register marks, providing a second carrierfoil (200) with at least one second security feature and second registermarks, joining the first carrier foil to the second carrier foil, atleast one of the two carrier foils being under tensile stress and atleast one of the second or the first carrier foil being controlled inlongitudinal direction and transverse direction with the help of thefirst and second register marks in such a way, that a layer compound isthe result, in which the first and second security features are disposedin register to each other.
 2. Method according to claim 1, characterizedin that the controlling of at least one of the second carrier foil (200)or the first carrier foil (100) is effected by stretching the carrierfoil in longitudinal direction of the carrier foil.
 3. Method accordingto claim 2, characterized in that the second carrier foil (200) isshorter than the first carrier foil (100) and is stretched relative tothe first carrier foil (100).
 4. Method according to claim 2,characterized in that the first carrier foil (100) due to the tensilestress undergoes a constant stretching in longitudinal direction of thecarrier foil and the second carrier foil (200) is stretched relative tothe stretching of first carrier foil (100).
 5. Method according to claim1, characterized in that the carrier foils (100, 200) are provided onrollers (3, 4) and are drawn off the rollers, the stretching of at leastone of the first or second carrier foil (100 or 200) in longitudinaldirection of the carrier foil being achieved by a controlled slow downof this roller when drawing off the carrier foil from the respectiveroller.
 6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that an exactlyregistered joining of the two carrier foils (100, 200) with respect totheir longitudinal edges is achieved by means of a tension group (11).7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the tension groupis controlled with the help of the first and second register marks. 8.Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the register marksare read by means of light guides or CCD-cameras.
 9. Method according toclaim 1, characterized in that the security features are used asregister marks.
 10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe layer compound is divided into so-called endless threads or endlessstrips.
 11. Method for producing a security element comprising theprocedure steps according to claim 1, characterized in that from thelayer compound (6) a security element with its final transverse andlongitudinal dimensions is divided out.
 12. Layer compound (6)comprising two carrier foils (100, 200) each having at least onesecurity feature covering the respective carrier foil only partially,characterized in that the two carrier foils are joined to each other insuch a way, that the security features are disposed in register to eachother.
 13. Layer compound according to claim 12, characterized in thatthe two carrier foils (100, 200) each have register marks, which differfrom the security features of the carrier foils.
 14. Multilayer securityelement comprising a layer compound according to claim
 12. 15.Multilayer security element according to claim 14, in the form of athread, strip, label or tag.
 16. Object to which a security elementaccording to claim 14 is firmly joined by adhesive bonding, embedding,or attaching.
 17. Document of value, with an applied or embedded strip-or thread-shaped security element according to claim
 15. 18. An objectto which a security element accordingly to claim 15 is firmly joined byadhesive bonding, embedding, or attaching.
 19. The document of value ofclaim 17, comprising a bank note.